As well as being home to 1,300 animals and nearly 200 species, the 83-year-old Dudley Zoological Gardens also features an 11th century castle, limestone caverns, 12 Grade-2 listed Tecton buildings and the country’s only vintage chairlift.                                                                      

Much of the animal collection is linked to international conservation and breeding programmes.

Endangered species in evidence at the venue include Asiatic lions, Sumatran tigers, Bornean orangutans, Tibetan red pandas, Rothschild giraffes, Madagascan lemurs and the UK’s largest parent-reared colony of Humboldt penguins. The zoo recently welcomed a new inhabitant - an Asian palm civet named Connie, who has joined the venue’s resident binturongs, Ellie and Elliot, in a new mixed exhibit.